New Album Is a Family Affair for Trisha Yearwood

The third cut on Trisha Yearwood's 'PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit' album is called 'I Remember You,' and the singer can't bring herself to listen to it. The lyrics recall memories of her mother, father and so many others she was close to. Then, her husband did something to make it even more personal.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood worked on their respective albums at the same time, so there was bound to be a robust exchange of ideas and ... umm, opinions.

"I try not to give him advice unless he asks me, but I’m not really good at that and he’s not really good at that, either,” Yearwood tells Taste of Country, laughing.

There are benefits. She may hear something he doesn't as he's listening to his 100th song of the night. He may find a hit in her dismiss pile. Earlier this month, the 'PrizeFighter' singer admitted she really, really wanted to record 'Tacoma' for her album, but it made Brooks' 'Man Against Machine' project instead.

Brooks helped turn the fragile 'I Remember You' into something truly special. By the time Yearwood's 50th birthday came around last September, she'd already cut the song. However, she decided to re-enter the studio and cut a version with just a guitar player. The incredibly intimate result will make the hair on your arms stand at attention, but then Yearwood's sister joined her for the harmonies. Brooks had brought her into town for his wife's 50th birthday.

“And now with my sister on it, who shares the same emotions I got, it just took it to somewhere else,” Yearwood says, revealing that whether she can get through it live depends on the day and her mood.

She can't listen to the mix, however. “And I’m not a crier, I’m not," she assures. "I’m really not that girl.”

The six new songs on 'PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit' reach for emotional edges. This isn't a play-it-safe project, even if 10 of the tunes are well-known.

“I used to … if there was a song about heartbreak or kind of subject matter that seemed personal, I could always hide behind ‘I didn’t write it,’” Yearwood dishes. "Now I don't care."

“I do think with age comes a new not afraid to say anything feeling,” she adds.

The title track from the album features Kelly Clarkson. Look for 'PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit' in stores and at GhostTunes.